– It’s a common narrative that the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga refused to accept to be Kenya’s first prime minister while Jomo Ke...
– It’s a common narrative that the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga refused to accept to be Kenya’s first prime minister while Jomo Kenyatta was in jail
– Jaramogi lauded Kenyatta as the ‘teacher and master’ and the father of African nationalism and without him, there could be no independence
– They later fell out politically and Odinga moved to the opposition. The “love-hate” relationship is still present among their descendants
The relationship between the Jomo Kenyatta and Oginga Odinga’s families confuses many people.
At one point, they are bitter rivals in the political arena; outside politics, they talk like best of friends.
One of the instances when the frienship was affrimed was when President Uhuru Kenyatta gave Raila Odinga’s sister, Wenwa Odinga, a job in 2015.
However, Uhuru did not bow to pressure (even from his allies) to cancel the appointment. He defended Wenwa Odinga instead.
“The call to public service is for all… We aligned competency to the respective appointments, for example Dr Wenwa Odinga was the first female doctoral holder in Chemistry; her appointment to Kemri was befitting of a Kenyan with such rare accolades,” Uhuru said through his spokesman Manaoh Esipisu.
The close Kenyatta-Odinga close family ties had also been seen in January 2015, when Fidel Odinga (Raila’s son died).
President Uhuru Kenyatta signing the condolence book when Fidel Odinga, Raila’s son, died in January 2015. Image: PSCU
Uhuru was not openly involved but the government’s presence in the funeral arrangement could be felt. For instance, military choppers flew Fidel’s body and mourners to Kisumu.
Raila and his siblings have also shown their love for the Kenyatta family in several occasions.
The former prime minister, during the 38th memorial service of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, recounted how his father and Kenyatta were close.
“We have been families for a very long time, when things are very hot we talk and get together,” said Raila Odinga.
Raila also told the congregation how he refers to the president as his younger brother adding that Mama Ngina Kenyatta understands how far the two have come along.
The nominated MP said he had known the president well enough as they worked closely at ministry of finance when Uhuru was the minister, and him as the assistant minister, between 2008 and 2012.
